Graham Potter endured a miserable return to the Amex Stadium with Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Pat Nevin slammed Raheem Sterling’s performance during Chelsea’s defeat against Brighton on Saturday, describing the £45million man as ‘absolutely terrible’.
The England international enjoyed an encouraging start to his Blues career after his move from Manchester City in the summer, scoring four times in his first eight appearances for his new club.
Sterling was on target in Graham Potter’s first game at the helm, a 1-1 Champions League draw against RB Salzburg, but hasn’t found the back of the net since.
The 27-year-old has featured in a number of different roles under the former Brighton manager, including an unfamiliar wing-back role.
Sterling was among a number of Chelsea players who were overwhelmed against the Seagulls as Potter’s former charges tore into their opponents and raced into a 3-0 first half lead.
Nevin, a former Chelsea winger during his playing days, struggled to comprehend Chelsea’s display in the opening 45 minutes but was particularly taken aback by Sterling’s ineffectiveness.
The former Liverpool star has been a regular fixture for Gareth Southgate in recent years but Nevin fears Sterling’s form has deteriorated to such an extent that he shouldn’t even be considered for World Cup selection.
Raheem Sterling has now gone nine games without a goal for Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
He said: ‘I’m watching Raheem Sterling right now and I’ve said that Graham Potter has got the best from every player since he has been there, with one exception.
‘Raheem Sterling. If he keeps playing the way he is right now, he’s not even a consideration for the World Cup.
‘He is having a really really bad time and today he is having an absolutely terrible game.’
Potter switched formations at the break and the change of system yielded instant rewards when Kai Havertz emphatically headed home Conor Gallagher’s superb cross just three minutes after the restart.
Sterling, however, continued to be on the periphery of the game and was eventually substituted shortly after the hour mark.
Despite the introduction of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Armando Brojo Chelsea failed to claw their way back into the contest and slid to the first defeat of the Potter era.
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It’s just not happening for the England star right now.
